The Intersection of Child Trafficking and Health Care: Our Unique Role as Pediatric Clinicians

Nicole M Leopardi; Aldina M Hovde; Lauren V Kullmann

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2019.12.005

The Intersection of Child Trafficking and Health Care: Our Unique Role as Pediatric Clinicians

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2020 Apr;67(2):413-423. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2019.12.005.

Authors

Nicole M Leopardi¹, Aldina M Hovde², Lauren V Kullmann³

Affiliations

¹ Pediatrics Clerkship, Medical Home for Trafficked Minors, Cooper University Healthcare, Children's Regional Center, CMSRU, 3 Cooper Plaza, Suite 200, Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
² Safety and Trauma Informed Care Initiatives, New Jersey Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, 50 Millstone Road, Building 200, Suite 130, East Windsor, NJ 08520, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Rowan University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.

PMID: 32122569
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2019.12.005

Abstract

Human trafficking is a pervasive public health problem that affects children of all ages. Health care clinicians can play a unique role in identifying and intervening for trafficking victims through acknowledging biases, understanding the risk factors and red flags, and implementing a trauma-informed care approach in their clinics and institutions. It is through collaboration, education, and research that health care clinicians can work to recognize and respond to this crime perpetrated against the youngest and most vulnerable patients.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs); Child trafficking; Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC); Human trafficking; Labor trafficking; Screening; Sex trafficking; Trauma-informed care.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adverse Childhood Experiences
Child
Child Abuse, Sexual*
Crime Victims
Human Trafficking*
Humans
Mass Screening*
Pediatricians*
Physician's Role*
United States